Inmates’ representatives at Blantyre Prison have alleged that prosecutors demand bribes from remandees and other incarcerated prisoners to facilitate their quick court appearances, subsequently contributing to delayed cases.
This was among the concerns raised yesterday during the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day held at the facility widely known as Chichiri Prison.
The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has since expressed dismay at the allegations.
Speaking during the event, a representative of the inmates, Shoes Kachotsa, said considering that every remandee and prisoner cannot have money, their cases stall. He said this constitutes an infringement on their human rights.
“The situation is appalling because not only do the cases delay, but it also results in congestion here at the prison,” he said.
Kachotsa said such delays, especially those emanating from the alleged bribery demands, often traumatises inmates and remandees; hence, appealed to authorities to address the allegations with urgency.
Speaking in an interview, DPP Chambers director of criminal litigation Josephine Gwaza described the bribery allegations as serious.
“We have taken note of the allegations by the inmates and we will treat it seriously. As advised, the best route is to report to the Anti-Corruption Bureau as well as our office and we will take it up and follow it through,” she said.
On the general delay of cases, which has been a cause of worry for sometime, Gwaza attributed it to numerous reasons, including resource constraints and delays in setting court dates, among others.
She said that while the office of the DPP might have resources for trials to go ahead, it might happen that the Judiciary may lack resources for the court to sit or vice-versa.
Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance executive director Victor Chagunyuka Mhango said in a separate interview: “We often hear about these issues of corruption and we encourage the prisoners to report them to relevant authorities so that they can take charge. But these are things happening in our society, we just need to assist the prisoners to ensure justice is seen.”
Representing the Judiciary, Justice of Appeal Sylvester Kalembera said despite progress being made in reforming the justice system, a lot still has to be done amid sentiments made by the inmates.
Irish Rule of Law International programme officer Lindiwe Sibale said it is important that rights of prisoners should be observed in a democratic dispensation such as Malawi.
